SDSU vs SJSU Recap: Aztecs Annihilate Spartans 42-3
San Diego State put on another amazing show at the Q last night, this one ending in a severally lopsided 42-3 score. It was an impressive performance by the Aztecs football program, as they cruised the whole game.
D.J. Pumphrey was his usual self, rushing for over 100 yards once again and breaking yet another long-standing record. This win puts SDSU at 3-0 against the Mountain West Conference this season and 6-1 overall. This victory also qualifies the Aztecs for a seventh straight bowl after having appeared in a program-record six straight bowl games last season.
Scoring Summary
The Aztecs drove the ball 70 yards in 10 plays to blow open the flood gates of scoring when Christian Chapman connected with David Wells on a four yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes left in the first quarter. On their next possession, the Aztecs drove 62 yards down the field, as the seventh play of the drive finished it, with Rashaad Penny punching in a three yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 in favor of the Aztecs. The SDSU defense would go on to force SJSU to punt for a fourth straight time, giving them the ball at their 43-yard line. Just three plays and 50 seconds later, the Aztecs would find themselves up 21-0, as none other than D.J. Pumphrey would break free for a 27-yard touchdown rush.
After another forced punt by the ferocious Aztec defense, Chapman threw an interception that would lead the Spartans to their first and only score of the game, a 26-yard field goal knocked down by Spartan kicker Bryce Crawford. That would wrap up the scoring for the first half of the game. The Aztecs would receive the ball coming out of halftime and would go on to score on three straight possessions. The first score came on a four yard knockout punch by Penny to further extend the lead 28-3. Pumphrey would get another taste of the end zone, as he would break free for his second touchdown on a 23-yard run. Penny would shut the door on scoring for the game, as he broke free for a career best 73-yard touchdown run as time ticked away to end the third quarter. 42-3 Aztecs.
Important Notes
The Aztecs are now bowl eligible for the seventh straight season which, when played, will extend their program record for the most consecutive bowl game appearances.
D.J. Pumphrey’s two rushing touchdowns this game puts his total at 58, tying Marshall Faulk for most in school history, and 11th most in NCAA history. For the 28th time in his career, and for the six straight game, number 19 broke for over 100 yards rushing.
For the third straight game, the Aztecs have held their opponent to single digits in scoring, which is the first time it has happened since 1977. They also have not given up a touchdown since the second quarter of the UNLV game, making it 10 straight quarters without allowing a TD to teams facing this monster Aztec defense.
This win gives San Diego State their 14th straight conference win. Over this 14 game winning streak, SDSU is outscoring their conference opponents 469-148. Yes, you definitely read that correctly. The Aztecs have not only been beating their conference opponents consistently over the last 14 games, but they have been doing so by an average score of 33.5-10.6.
Player of the Game
Rashaad Penny. Wait, that can’t be right, can it? An SDSU running back more deserving of the game ball than D.J. Pumphrey? Well lets look at it. Number 20 touched the ball only nine times, yet put up over 100 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 11.7 yards per carry and averaged a touchdown on every third touch. Not only that, but he was targeted by Chapman twice in this game where he caught both balls for a team leading 64 yards. D.J. Pumphrey had another great game, don’t get me wrong here, but Penny deserves this game ball. He gave us a glimpse of hope that after number 19 moves on, we will still get to watch great football coming out of the backfield for San Diego State.
Derek is a 22-year-old out of Lemon Grove, California. A burning passion for San Diego sports led him to pursue an opportunity to write and share about what’s going on with the teams in America’s Finest City. A young and aspiring sports journalist looking to grow his knowledge and expand his experience at any opportunity.